Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Clifton Darling, 22, sobbed on the table in front of him Friday as his mother described how the rape last year changed her view of him.

The jury of eight men and four women convicted Darling late Thursday of aggravated sexual assault. The punishment phase of trial concluded Friday in 319th District Judge David Stith's court. Darling was sentenced to 55 years in prison, and will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.

"I love him but I lost him June the 17th," said the mother who has a different last name. The Caller-Times does not typically name victims of sexual assault. "He wasn't my son. What son does that to his mother?"

During the 3-day trial, defense lawyer Robert Zamora argued Clifton's synthetic marijuana usage earlier that day affected his behavior. Zamora also questioned Clifton's mental health, which he said included bipolar disorder, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. And Zamora urged jurors to consider Clifton's upbringing. When Clifton was about 9 years old, his mother used drugs and was convicted of of a felony methamphetamine charge.

Clifton's mother testified she's been sober more than a decade. In the punishment phase, Clifton's 21-year-old sister testified she has long been fearful of her brother. Clifton has two prior assault convictions, in which his sister was the victim. She testified he busted her lip in both incidents.

Prosecutors Ray Pena and David Jakubowski disputed the synthetic marijuana defense, arguing his voluntary usage was not an excuse.

A bailiff offered Clifton a tissue box while his mother testified. His shoulders shook as he cried.

"He took away the rest of my life and he took away my son that night," she said. "I love him but can I have anything to do with him again? I don't know. I'm scared."